New greens mowers go low . . .and do so much more

Golf Course News, Apr 2004

MANUFACTURERS ADDRESS MOWER PERFORMANCE AND PLAY ISSUES

It's a fact that golfers assume another personality when the topic is green speed. It doesn't matter that height of cut is only one factor that affects the speed of a green. According to this group, low is never low enough. All that matters is double digits on the stimpmeter.

As a result, manufacturers are constantly challenged to design mowers that can drop the height of cut to levels that would have killed grass only a few years ago. While 1/4 inch was the standard for a long time, today 1/8 inch is probably the average. It's not unusual for some courses to dip beneath that mark.

The expectations for greens mowers get tougher for other reasons. To meet golfer demand, golf course architects are building more contoured greens, which call for mowers that will float over undulations to reduce scalping. Then there's the environmental factor. Many municipalities are imposing noise restrictions in residential areas. This particularly affects golf courses surrounded by homes.

Thankfully, the ability to provide consistent, playable greens has to a great degree been satisfied by today's line of greens mowers. To find out how manufacturers are addressing these issues, Golf Course News contacted major manufacturers and superintendents who are using the latest innovations in greens mowers.

Toro Flex 21 answers the call on contoured greens

It takes a capable piece of equipment to mow greens at 1/8 inch or lower, especially if they are contoured. The Toro Flex 21 was designed to support the agronomic demands of greens cut to 1/16 inch and the increasing demands on today's superintendents who are expected to achieve that height.

The Flex 21 features a unique flexible cutting unit, specially designed for undulating greens and ultradwarf grasses. The innovative cutting unit flexes from side to side around the bedknife centerline, as well as forward and backward around the reel centerline. The flexible cutting mechanism is separate from the traction unit to further ensure crisp, tight mowing at the desired height with less scalping.

A California superintendent says the Flex 21 gives him the ability to push the mowing envelope.

"It's definitely given me a measurable difference on taking the greens down," says Brian Hardin of The Palms Golf Club in La Quinta, Calif.

"Our caliber of player really likes fast, challenging greens. I was sneaking under 1/8 inch and wanted something that didn't scalp. I put the Flex 21 on one of my greens with a really gnarly slope, and it took it fine. It's definitely following the contours better than a stationary unit. I haven't had any scalp problems."

Toro riding mowers feature new cutting units

Toro took its riding greens mowers to another level with the introduction of the dual-point adjust Greensmaster cutting unit. Features include:

* Lower height of cut to 1/16 inch

* Superior quality of cut at all heights

* Sealed bearings to eliminate greasing

* Simplified adjustment

* Greater rigidity to eliminate squaring-up problems

* Compatibility with all current and previous units

This new cutting unit is available in 8- or 11-blade reels. It replaces all 4-bolt and single point adjustment units in favor of the dual point adjustment proven on the Greensmaster 1000.

The new cutting unit impressed Pete Peterson, superintendent of Riverbend Golf Complex, Kent, Wash.

"We mow down to a little over 1/10 inch," he says. "When you cut that short you're going to notice any imperfections or misadjustments. These units hold adjustments better. Everything just seems to be a little tighter, a little better designed."

Superintendent Steve Kealy of Glendale Country Club, also in Washington, praises the Greenmaster units.

"They performed like a walking greens mower," he says. "The cut was more uniform, and it seemed like the units floated better over undulations with no scalping. The quality of cut was very high, and we were mowing down to 0.110 inch, which is pretty low."

Deere walk-behinds boast consistent cutting height

John Deere Golf and Turf One Source product manager Tracy Lanier says one of the advantages of the manufacturer's walk-behind greens mowers is their ability to deliver a consistent height of cut.

"Our 18-inch 180B walk mower is me ideal width for closely following green contours," he says. "The reels don't ride up and down at the ends like some flex mowers, which can result in an uneven cut. The mower's true 18-inch frame allows the operator to follow cut lines and overlap with more accuracy."

Other features of John Deere walk-behind mowers are designed with safety and operator comfort in mind. The operator-presence safety system is engaged when the handle is depressed.

"When the operator lets go," Lanier says, "wheel traction is disengaged and the cutting reels stop. This can be important early in the morning when the grass is covered with dew and the operator could slip while making turns."

Sound reduction features include high impact-resistant polymer chain covers, which also limit rust and dents, and a larger muffler. A drum drive and oil drain trough simplify maintenance.